Changeable panel assembly and method of assembling a changeable panel

ABSTRACT

A panel attachment arrangement for attaching a panel  3.003  to a support  7.066  having a pair of opposite sides each opposite side having an engagement lip  7.078  which, in use, are on the opposite face of the support to the panel, the panel attachment arrangement including: a pair of first projections  3.005  adapted to receive a pair of opposite sides of a support; each projection including an inward transverse second projection  3.007  adapted to seat behind or in a corresponding one of the recesses in the support, wherein one or more of (a) the panel, (b) the first projections, or (c) the second projections are flexible or resilient, whereby the second projections can be resiliently splayed or flexed beyond the opposite sides of the support to engage the corresponding lip when the flexing force is removed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a panel assembly, and a method of assembling apanel.

The invention is particularly suited for panels for use on householdappliances such as refrigerators, but can be used generally to attachpanels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers increasingly require flexibility in designing kitchens, andthe refrigerator can be a major feature of the kitchen.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a panel arrangement which isreadily assembled in the factory. Further, in some embodiments, theinvention provides a panel arrangement which can be changed in situ. Thepanel can be decorative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a panelattachment arrangement for attaching a panel to a support having a pairof opposite sides each opposite side having an engagement lip which, inuse, are on the opposite face of the support to the panel, the panelattachment arrangement including:

a pair of first projections adapted to receive a pair of opposite sidesof a support;each projection including an inward transverse second projection adaptedto seat behind or in a corresponding one of the recesses in the support,wherein one or more of (a) the panel, (b) the first projections, or (c)the second projections are flexible or resilient, whereby the secondprojections can be resiliently splayed or flexed beyond the oppositesides of the support to engage the corresponding lip when the flexingforce is removed.

The panel can be formed integrally with the first and second pairs ofprojections.

The invention also provides a panel attachment member adapted to attacha panel to a support having a pair of opposite sides each opposite sidehaving an engagement lip which, in use, are on the opposite face of thesupport to the panel, the attachment member being a longitudinal memberhaving:

a first elongate strip;a second elongate transverse strip projection from an edge of the firststrip; anda third elongate strip transverse to the second strip;the first, second, and third strips forming a channel; whereinat least one of (a) the panel, (b) the second strip, or (c) the thirdstrip is sufficiently flexible to permit the third strips to be flexedor resiliently splayed beyond the opposite sides of the support toenable the third strip to engage the corresponding lip when the flexingforce is removed.

A pair of panel attachment members can be affixed to opposite sides of apanel, the third strips of each attachment member facing inward from theedge of the panel.

The panel can be made from a material selected from metal, glass,acrylic, polymeric material, laminates, or composite materials.

The attachment members can be attached to the panel by adhesive.

The arrangement can include supplementary attachment means to attach thepanel to the support.

The supplementary attachment means can include double-sided adhesivetape.

The supplementary attachment means can include a hook and loop (Velcro)attachment means having a first patch attached to the panel, and acomplementary second patch attached to the support.

At least one of the patches can be contained in a recess to reduce thespacing between the panel and the support.

The invention further provides a panel support including a substantiallyplanar surface and a pair of opposed lips adapted to engage with theinward projections of the panel arrangement.

The method further provides a method of attaching a panel arrangementincluding the steps of resiliently splaying the inward projections ofthe panel attachment arrangement and engaging the inward projectionswith corresponding lips of the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a panel according to a first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a panel arrangement according to a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment members of the arrangement of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a panel adapted for use with the arrangement of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shell of a wall or door to which a panelarrangement according to embodiments of the invention can be attached.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an end view of a panel accordingto an embodiment of the invention juxtaposed with a door.

FIG. 8 illustrates a step I the process of applying the panel to thedoor of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates the panel attached to the door.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an alternative means of attaching apanel to a support.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a panel with supplementaryattachment means.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed sectional view of supplementary attachmentmeans.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative means of attaching a panel.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modification to the door frame.

FIG. 15 is a section view of a handle attachment block assembly.

FIG. 16 shows a panel preparatory to attaching to a refrigerator door.

The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits infront of the full stop indicate the drawing number, and the digits afterthe full stop are the element reference numbers. Where possible, thesame element reference number is used in different drawings to indicatecorresponding elements. In some cases, where repeat or mirror imagefeatures are included in a drawing, only one number will be allocated tosuch repetitious features for the sake of clarity.

It is understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the drawings areintended to be illustrative rather than exact representations, and arenot necessarily drawn to scale. The orientation of the drawings ischosen to illustrate the features of the objects shown, and does notnecessarily represent the orientation of the objects in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the embodiments in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is an end view of a panel 1.004 with integral attachment means1.006, 1.008, 1.010, 1.012 according to a first embodiment of theinvention.

The panel 1.004 is a substantially planar rectangular panel and hasattachment projection 1.006, 1.008, 1.010, 1,012 projecting fromopposite edges. The attachment projections of FIG. 1 include firstprojections 1.006, 1.010 which are transverse to panel 1.004. Preferablythe projections 1.006, 1.010 are over bent to produce a strongerattachment force. For example, the projections can be inwardly inclinedto the perpendicular to the panel. Preferably the projections areinclined at between about 2° to 4°. The ends of projections 1.006, 1.010are folded inwards to form a second set of projections 1.008, 1.012transverse to the first set of projections 1.006, 1.010. Preferably thesecond projections can also be inclined to the perpendicular to thefirst projections, and are approximately parallel with the plane 1.004.

The same material can be used for the panel and the attachmentprojections, so it can be formed, for example, in a pressing or formingoperation. For example, the panel can be of metal or plastics.

As will be discussed. with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, preferably, atleast one of the panel 1.004, the first projections 1.006, 1.010, or thesecond projections 1.008, 1.012 are sufficiently flexible to permit thesecond projections to be flexibly splayed or flexed outwardly to permitthe second projections to engage behind or in a groove in a support. Therepresentations are not to scale. In one embodiment, the firstprojections can be of the order of 72 mm and the second projections canbe of the order of 37 mm. However, the second projections can be of theorder of 20 mm or less in width, while in another embodiment they can bein the range of around 3 to 4 mm wide up to 10 to 12 mm wide.

The top and bottom edges of the panel and the first projections can befolded inwards. The inward folds can mate with a groove in a cover toclose the assembly for foaming.

FIG. 2 is an underside view of the panel of FIG. 1. The panel 2.004 isrectangular in shape, and the opposite long sides each have theattachment projections formed therealong. The over-bending of theprojections provides sufficient attachment force to hold the panel inplace when it is attached, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.

Alternatively, or additionally, a number of fixing holes or screw holescan be formed in the inward projections 2.008.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the inward projection 2.008 has cut-outportions such as 2.014. The opposite projection 2.012 can be a mirrorimage of projection 2.008. In an alternative arrangement, the cut-outportions can be on one side only. The top and bottom edges of the panel2.004 can be folded inwards.

The panel support in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 is a door for arefrigerator having a metal frame 6.060 as shown in FIG. 6. The framehas a box construction having a closed end 6.062, side walls such as6.066, the ends of which are folded inwards as shown, for example, at6.069 around the periphery of an open end opposed to the close end6.062. Thus the frame forms a cavity which can be filled with, forexample, foamed insulating material. The top of the frame 6.064 has beenshaded to assist in eliminating visual ambiguity, and to assist inidentifying the orientation of the frame in following figures.

Optionally, attachment holes, such as screw holes, can be formed in theclosed surface 6.062 to align with corresponding attachment holes in thepanel arrangement. Apertures 6.067 can also be formed in the surface6.062 for attachment of the handle attachment bases.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of a panel arrangement 7.002 accordingto the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 & 2, and apanel support 7.072, which, in this case is an insulated door of arefrigerator having a frame such as 6.060 illustrated in FIG. 6. Thefront panel of the door 7.062 and side wall 7.066 are indicated toprovide reference points with the frame of FIG. 6.

The door 7.072 has been filled with an insulating material which, inthis example, is shiny skin insulation, such as foamed insulation inwhich the rapid cooling of the outer skin 7.074 of the insulation causesit to form a more coherent structure than the inner insulating material7.076. Suitable insulating materials, preferably those which form askin, such as polyurethane foam or polyurethane combined with Vacuuminsulation panel, and are suitable for use with storage of food items,can be used. A pair of longitudinal recesses, such as 7.078 are formedin the insulation, one on each side of the door, so that the peripheralframe 6.069 is exposed for use in attaching the panel 7.002 via theattachment projections 7.008, 7.012. The foamed insulation also fillsthe cavity of the door frame 7.060.

The projections 7.006, 7.010 are spaced apart sufficiently to containthe panel in a close or slightly resilient fit. However, as can be seenin FIG. 7, the distance between the ends of inward panel attachmentprojections 7.007, 7.012 is smaller than the width of the frame 7.060.However, the panel arrangement 7.002 is made of a unitary material whichis flexible. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the panel can be flexed tosplay the inward attachment projections 8.006, 8.010 outward, so theends of the inward projections 8.008, 8.012 are spaced apart by adistance greater than the width of the door frame 8.060. The panel canthus be located so the frame is within the panel. This permits theinward projections to be released so that they relax back into therecesses 9.078 as shown in FIG. 9.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, one end of the panel arrangement canbe applied to the door so the inward projection 10.008 is located in itscorresponding recess, and the panel can be flexed so the other inwardprojection 10.012 can be located in its corresponding recess 10.078.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, & 13 illustrate an alternative panel arrangementaccording to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is an end view ofthe panel arrangement, FIG. 4 is an underside view of the attachmentchannels 4.040, 4.042, and FIG. 5 is a view of the panel 5.003. In thisembodiment, the panel arrangement includes separate panel 3.003 and sideattachment channels 4.040 & 4.042. The side channels include anattachment strip 3.009, a first transverse projection, 3.005, and asecond, inward projection 3.007 presenting a substantially “J” shapedsection. the panel can be of any suitable material, for example acrylicor metal. The channels can be attached to the panel by any suitablemeans.

In one embodiment, the channels are attached to the panel by adhesive.The adhesive should be durable, expected life time 20 years, due to theaverage lifespan of refrigerator. It should have a temperatureresistance from −15° C. to 65° C., which may happen duringtransportation.

The side attachment members and panel can be loaded into a jig andclamped together for at least a minimum time to allow the adhesive tobond to the materials. When using 3M VHB 5652, the components should beclamped for a minimum of one minute with a clamp pressure of 100 KPa.

The adhesive should be have good water & chemical agent resistance,which may be experienced during cleaning. The adhesive should have fastcure, and achieve bonding strength within 15 minutes to increaseproductivity. Preferably the adhesive should be odourless or low odour.Irritating odour is harmful to operator therefore require investment onventilation system.

The adhesive can be double sided adhesive tape, for example, 3M VHB 5652or 3M VHB 5952 , but alternatives such as Loctite 5590, Loctite 5610 canbe used.

Different types of adhesive can be used in different locations. Forexample, with an acrylic panel, the vertical edges can have a strip of3M VHB5652 or 3Mm VHB5952 of about 11 mm width applied along the sides.Similar adhesive can be used for the door handle apertures. The top andbottom of the panel can have 3M VHB4920 applied in as trip of about 11mm width.

3M VHB5652 or 3Mm VHB5952 can be used for permanent joints. VHB4920permits the join to be re-opened if required.

The panel can be made of different material from the attachmentchannels.

In one implementation, the panel can be flexible, so the panelarrangement can be applied in a similar manner to the arrangement ofFIGS. 1 &2.

However, in an alternative embodiment, for example where the panel is ofglass and the channels are of stainless steel, the panel may beinsufficiently flexible to permit the attachment projections to beresiliently splayed to a sufficient amount to pass outside the edges ofthe door frame. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the panel13.003 is insufficiently flexible to enable the inward ends of theprojection 13.007 to clear the sides of the door frame. in this case,the projection 13.005, can provide the required flexibility. In thiscase, the attachment projections such as 3.005 can be sufficientlyflexible to permit the inward projections to pass around the frame andbe located in the corresponding recesses such as 7.078.

The method of attaching the panel arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10 isalso suitable for use with this embodiment.

Also shown in FIG. 4 are door handle attachment slots 4.044, 4.046,4.048. These slots can be used in conjunction with a handle attachmentarrangement such as that described in copending Australian patentapplication AU2008216999 by AB Electrolux, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 11 & 12 illustrate an optional supplementary attachmentarrangement, in this example using 3M Dual Lock SJ-4570, or Velcro™.While the long sides of the panel 11.004 are attached via the attachmentchannels, the top and bottom edges of the panel are not attached to thedoor frame by the main attachment means. Thus, the arrangement of FIGS.11 & 12 provides supplemental attachment means 11.112, 11.114, 11.116,11.118, 11.120, 11.124, and central supplemental attachment 11.126. FIG.12 is an expanded section view along the line AA in FIG. 11. The fasciapanel 12.004 has s first attachment element, in this case Velcro patch12.116 attached to the panel. A corresponding complementary attachmentelement, Velcro patch 12.132 is attached to the frame 12.060. In thiscase, to ensure that the fascia is close to the surface 12.062 one orboth Velcro patches can be installed in recesses. In this example, theVelcro patch 12.132 is contained in recessed pocket 12.130 which isattached to the frame 12 .060. A gap filler 12.134 can be applied alongthe edges between the fascia 12.004 and the frame 12.060. The gap fillercan be 0.5 mm rubber strip or tape.

A display, touch panel, or control panel aperture 11.128 can be providedin both the fascia to align with a corresponding aperture in the doorframe.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modification of the door frame 12.060. Theinwardly turned edges 14.069 can be inclined out of the plane of theback surface of the frame so that, when the panel arrangement isattached, the inward projections such as 1.008, 1.012 are maintained incontact with the angled edges 12.069 with a resilient force.

FIG. 15 is a section view of a handle attachment block assembly. Themounting block bases, such as 15.140, are mounted through correspondingfirst slots in the door frame surface 15.062. The mounting block base isattached to the door frame before the door is filled with foaminsulation. The panel 15.004 has corresponding slots (see FIG. 5)through which the mounting block passes when the panel is attached tothe frame. The handle 15.148 is attached to a mounting pedestal 15.142by a screw attachment 15.144, and register pin and socket 15.146. Thepedestal is a snap-fit on the projecting base 15.140.

The projections 1.008 and 1.012 can be continuous or intermittentlylocated in discrete locations along the length of the first projections1.006 and 1.010.

A shown in FIG. 16, the panel 16.003 can be attached to the doorassembly on the refrigerator. The attachment projections such as 16.005,16.007 can engage the corresponding grooves 16.078 on either side of thedoor assembly as described above.

When the panel arrangement is assembled in the factory, the baseattachments for the handles and the display and associated wiring can beplaced in location before the assembly is filled with foamed insulation.The base attachments for the handle are inserted through the cut-outs inthe frame before the foamed insulation is applied. Similarly, where adisplay or control panel is to be attached to the door, the electronicequipment and wiring can be attached before the foam insulation isapplied. The panel arrangement can be attached to the door frame and theattachment channels can be attached to the frame, by, for example, theclamping force of the over-bent projections, or screws, after theassembly is filled with foamed insulation.

In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or otherpublication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure,publication or use forms part of the common general knowledge of theskilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date ofthis specification, unless otherwise stated.

In this specification, terms indicating orientation or direction, suchas “up”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “left”, “right” “upright”,“transverse” etc. are not intended to be absolute terms unless thecontext requires or indicates otherwise. These terms will normally referto orientations shown in the drawings.

Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limitedto its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. Acorresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined hereinextends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individualfeatures mentioned or evident from the text. All of these differentcombinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, itwill be evident to those skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from theessential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examplesare therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to thoseskilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. A panel attachment arrangement for attaching a panel (1.004, 3.003)to a support (7.060) having a pair of opposite sides each opposite sidehaving an engagement Hp (7.078) which, in use, are on the opposite faceof the support to the panel, the panel attachment arrangement including:a pair of first projections (1.006, 1.010) adapted to receive a pair ofopposite sides of a support (7.060); each projection including an inwardtransverse second projection (1.008, 1, 012) adapted to seat behind orin a corresponding one of the recesses in the support, characterized inthat one or more of (a) the panel, (b) the first projections, or (c) thesecond projections are flexible or resilient, whereby the secondprojections can be resiliently splayed or flexed beyond the oppositesides of the support to engage the corresponding lip when the flexingforce is removed.
 2. A panel attachment arrangement as claimed in claim1, wherein the panel (1.004) is formed integrally with the first andsecond pairs of projections.
 3. A panel attachment as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the projections are over-bent to theperpendicular to provide a clamping force in use.
 4. A panel attachmentmember (4.040) adapted to attach a panel (3.003) to a support (7.060)having a pair of opposite sides each opposite side having an engagementlip (7.078) which, in use, are on the opposite face of the support tothe panel, characterized in that the attachment member is a longitudinalmember having: a first elongate strip (4.009); a second elongatetransverse strip (3.005) projecting from an edge of the first strip; anda third elongate strip (3.007) transverse to the second strip; thefirst, second, and third strips forming a channel; wherein at least oneof (a) the panel, (b) the second strip, or (c) the third strip issufficiently flexible to permit the third strips to be flexed orresiliently splayed to enable the third strip to engage thecorresponding lip when the flexing force is removed.
 5. A panelattachment arrangement including a pair of panel attachment members asclaimed in claim 4, affixed to opposite sides of a panel, the thirdstrips of each attachment member facing inward from the edge of thepanel.
 6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the panel ismade from a material selected from glass, acrylic, metal, polymericmaterial, composite materials , or laminates.
 7. An arrangement asclaimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the attachment members areattached to the panel by adhesive.
 8. An arrangement as claimed in anyone of claim 5, including supplementary attachment means to attach thepanel to the support.
 9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe supplementary attachment means includes a hook and loop attachmentmeans having a first patch attached to the panel, and a complementarysecond patch attached to the support.
 10. An arrangement as claimed inclaim 9, wherein at least one of the patches is contained in a recess toreduce the spacing between the panel and the support.
 11. An arrangementas claimed in claim 5, wherein the second strip is over-bent in relationto the first strip.
 12. A panel support (7.060) including asubstantially planar surface and a pair of opposed lips (7.078) adaptedto engage with the inward projections of the panel arrangement.
 13. Amethod of attaching a panel arrangement characterized in that the methodincludes the steps of resiliently splaying the inward projections(10.006, 10.012) of the panel attachment arrangement and engaging theinward projections with corresponding lips of the support (10.078).